Saudi Arabia witnessed 52 protests in 2012: Activists

Saudi protesters have staged over 50 anti-regime demonstrations across the kingdom in 2012 to demand the immediate release of political prisoners, activists say.
Calling 2012 the year of protests, political activists said in a report that the kingdom witnessed 52 protest rallies last year without taking into account demonstrations held in Eastern Province.
They say protest had a big impact on the Al Saud regime as it was forced to release some political prisoners.
Saudi activists say there are more than 30,000 political prisoners, mostly prisoners of conscience, in jails across the Kingdom.
According to the activists, most of the political prisoners are being held by the government without trial or legitimate charges and they were arrested for merely looking suspicious.
Some of the detainees are reported to be held without trial for more than 16 years. Attempting to incite the public against the government and allegiance to foreign entities are usually the ready-made charges brought against political dissidents.
Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, as well as an end to widespread discrimination.
However, the demonstrations turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially after November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.
PG/HGH